Mercedes-Benz User Experience Archives

Mercedes-Benz puts a ‘Home Theatre’ in the car cabin

The EQ range of Mercedes-Benz cars is not just about a new range of all-electric vehicles but will also bring much new and more advanced technologies, especially since the platforms can be entirely new and not adapted from conventional vehicles with internal combustion engines. This gives designers and engineers a truly ‘clean sheet’ or perhaps ‘hard disk’ from which to develop new models.

A new technology which will be one of the major highlights for the EQS flagship model is the new MBUX Hyperscreen, a visually impressive display panel which extends almost the entire width of the interior. In addition to its sheer size, the large, curved screen panel, running from the left to the right A-pillar, guarantees a ‘wow’ effect.

Adaptable to users
Artificial intelligence (AI) and learn-capable software enables the control and display concept to adapt to its user and make personalized suggestions for a variety of functions from infotainment, to comfort and even vehicle functions. 8 CPU cores, 24-gigabyte RAM and 46.4GB per second RAM memory bandwidth are some of the MBUX technical specifications.

With the new zero-layer feature, the user no longer has to scroll through sub-menus or give voice commands as the most important applications are always available in a situational and contextual way at the top of the driver’s field of vision. This alleviates the driver from needing to make numerous operating steps. The MBUX Hyperscreen not only benefits the driver as it is also an attentive assistant for the front passenger, who has their own display and operating area.

The Hyperscreen is the latest advancement of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) which has greatly simplified the operation of the latest Mercedes-Benz models. It was introduced with the A-Class in 2018, and there are now more than 1.8 million Mercedes-Benz passenger cars on the road equipped with MBUX worldwide. A few months ago, the second generation of this learn-capable system debuted in the new S-Class, and Mercedes is now taking another big step forward in the form of the new EQS and the optionally available MBUX Hyperscreen.

“With our MBUX Hyperscreen, a design vision becomes reality,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler Group. “We merge technology with design in a fascinating way that offers the customer unprecedented ease of use. We love the simplicity we created with a new level of MBUX.”

“The MBUX Hyperscreen is both the brain and nervous system of the car,” explained Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG and CTO. “The MBUX Hyperscreen continually gets to know the customer better and delivers a tailored, personalized infotainment and operating offerings without the occupant needing to click or scroll anywhere.”

Electrifying appearance, emotional visualization
Surrounded by a continuous plastic front frame painted in Silver Shadow, the MBUX Hyperscreen is an example of digital/analogue design fusion. Several displays appear to blend seamlessly, resulting in an impressive, curved screen band, while analogue air vents are integrated into this large digital surface to connect the digital and physical world. The integrated ambient lighting installed in the lower part of the MBUX Hyperscreen makes the display unit appear to float on the instrument panel.

The front passenger also has a personal display and operating area to help make road trips more enjoyable and entertaining. The passenger display allows for individualized content with up to 7 profiles. If the passenger seat is not occupied, the screen becomes a digital decorative part. In this case, animated stars (ie the Mercedes-Benz pattern) are displayed.

The bright and clear display uses OLED technology for the central and front passenger sections. This technology features individual image pixels that are self-luminous; image pixels, when they are not used, remain switched off, which means that they appear deep black. The active OLED pixels radiate with a high colour brilliance, resulting in high contrast values, regardless of the angle of view and light conditions. All of the graphics are styled in a new blue/orange colour scheme throughout. The classic cockpit display with two circular instruments has been refreshed with an all-new digital look.

Several displays appear to merge seamlessly, resulting in an impressive 141-centimetre wide and curved screen band. The area that passengers can experience is 2,432.11 sq. cm. The large glass cover display is curved three-dimensionally in the molding process at temperatures of approximately 650°C. This process allows a distortion-free view of the display unit across the entire width of the vehicle, irrespective of the display cover radius.

Thanks to its clear design, the MBUX Hyperscreen is intuitive and easy to operate. One example of this is the EV display, important functions of the electric drive such as boost or recuperation are visualized in a new way, with a spatially moving clasp, making it tangible for the user. A lens-shaped object moves between these clamps, which follows gravity and thus is able to impressively depict the g-Force.

Personalized suggestions
Infotainment systems offer numerous and extensive functions, typically with several operating steps often required to control them. In order to reduce these interactive steps even further, with the aid of artificial intelligence, Mercedes-Benz has developed a user interface with context-sensitive awareness.

Mercedes-Benz researched the usage behaviour of the first MBUX generation, and learned that most of the use cases fall in the Navigation, Radio/Media and Phone categories. Therefore, the navigation application is always at the centre of the screen unit with full functionality for ease of use. Over 20 further functions – from the active massage program to a birthday reminder, and suggestions for a to-do list – are automatically offered with the aid of artificial intelligence, if they are relevant to the customer.

“With MBUX, our goal was to create the most desirable automotive infotainment system. We have transferred the bipolarity of our design philosophy Sensual Purity to MBUX – that is, on the one hand the sensual beauty and on the other the ‘wow effect’ of the uniquely intuitive operation. We have invented a new interface that brings design and technology together. The MBUX Hyperscreen was born as a digital piece of art, a futuristic, luxurious sculpture and also a huge technological challenge,” said Wagener.

Mercedes-Benz starts preview of next S-Class with details of new MBUX

As with some of its recent models, Mercedes-Benz is previewing the next generation of the S-Class (W223) in stages which highlight new features and innovations. First on the list is the new MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User EXperience – which goes into the second generation just two years after first being offered.

The new infotainment system has hardware and software progression with 50% more processing power, a 320GB SSD and 16GB of RAM. Over-the-air (OTA) updates will be available though this is fast becoming a common feature for cars with systems that can connect to internet services.

The ‘learn-capable’ system’s strong point is its networking with a wide range of vehicle systems and sensor data. For example, the exit warning function in the new S-Class will use cameras to recognize that an occupant wants to leave the vehicle. If another road-user is approaching in the blind spot, the active ambient lighting becomes part of the exit warning system and flashes red.

Advanced screen technologies with OLED
The latest screen technologies are used for MBUX, which is available for front as well as rear occupants (with up to 3 screens). The 12.8-inch media display has a spacious portrait format which, on request, can be offered with OLED technology and haptic feedback.

OLED panels emit light when subjected to an electric current and, unlike an LCD, they do not require external background lighting. Power is only consumed where pixels light up. Among other benefits, this ensures a better black level and even stronger contrasts. When showing typical video sequences, OLED technology has an up to 30% lower energy consumption than LCD technology.

More extensive personalization
The human factor is always the central consideration. The possibilities for personalization and intuitive operation have become far more extensive even for rear occupants. For the driver, the new 3D driver display allows a spatial view at the touch of a button for the first time. A real 3-dimensional effect is achieved without having to wear 3D glasses.

By scanning a QR code with the Mercedes App, the vehicle is automatically connected to the Mercedes me account. As the profiles (up to seven) can be stored in the Cloud as part of Mercedes me, they can also be used in other Mercedes-Benz vehicles with the new MBUX generation

MBUX Interior Assist checks whether the childseat is correctly attached to the front passenger seat. The driver’s attention level is also monitored and ATTENTION ASSIST warns if there are signs of microsleep. Depending on the equipment level, MBUX Interior Assist recognizes up to 20 control wishes.

New convenience functions include prepositioning of the driver’s seat and outside mirrors according to body size, and operation of the rear roller blind by glancing over the shoulder. The sliding sunroof can also be operated by hand gestures. In fact, hand gestures and voice commands will likely become the dominant form of activation and management of many systems.

‘Hey Mercedes‘ becomes more intelligent
The voice assistant ‘Hey Mercedes’ listens even more carefully, and understands the occupants even better. It has the capability to understand up to 27 languages and can also be controlled from the rear. Several microphones help to tell the system which seat the voice is coming from. Flashing ambient lighting identifies the current speaker.

Domestic systems and home appliances can also be linked to the vehicle and voice-controlled, thanks to the Smart Home function although this probably means having dedicated compatible items at home.

HUD with augmented reality
Two different head-up displays (HUDs) are available, with the larger type having augmented reality (AR) content for more comprehensive route guidance. When navigating, for example, animated turn-off arrows (‘fishbones’) are projected onto the road lane at a virtual distance of about 10 metres. As this is superimposed directly onto reality, the result is directly perceptible information that is important for the current driving situation.

The driver display and media display offer a comprehensive aesthetic experience. The appearance of the screens can be individualized with a choice of up to four display styles. The number of ‘classic controls’ has been greatly reduced with 27 fewer hardkeys (mechanical switches) than in the current model.

“Our overarching goal is to offer the utmost in comfort, personalization and convenience for our customers. A system that is more detailed, thoughtful and individual than ever before. So I would even call it ‘My MBUX’,” said Sajjad Khan, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG. “Through even more ease-of-use, our customers gain extra time and added value. This goes beyond just displays and voice control. My MBUX now becomes the spinal cord, or even the central brain of the vehicle.”

More information will be presented in the next few months and the new S-Class will have its global debut sometime in September.

1972 Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116 — Although the flagship model’s history goes back to 1954, the introduction of the S-Class designation and model line began with the W116 model in 1972 (above). The current W222 generation (below) is the sixth which was launched in 2014.

Innovation in the steering wheel coming in mid-2020 in Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Enhanced MBUX increases ’emotional tie’ between driver and vehicle

Passengers in a Mercedes-Benz now have access to four new entertainment options via the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) multimedia system. The system has also been made more ‘casual’ and as one of these options will switch to using the familiar form of ‘you’ in many languages. This aims to create a closer, personal bond as the new form of interaction between driver and vehicle.

Reinforcing emotional tie
From April this year, the new form of address will gradually be introduced in new vehicles delivered in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Poland, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In these countries, MBUX will address the customer in the familiar form of the language rather than the more formal one. It is hoped that this will help reinforce the emotional tie between the driver and their Mercedes-Benz.

The infotainment system makes it possible to have a detailed weather report for specific regions read out – in virtually any language. In addition, with immediate effect, a driver wanting to know his or her fortune can ask something like ‘Hey Mercedes, give me a horoscope for Aquarius!’.

MBUX will then look into the ‘stars’ for the driver, provided the birth or star sign of the driver is given beforehand. The system will then offer a personal horoscope (only available in German and British English for now) via speech dialogue.

Quiz, anyone?
As well as offering such astrological services, MBUX can also act as quizmaster to entertain passengers with a fascinating geo-quiz about capital cities of the world. It all helps to make the journey in a Mercedes-Benz even more enjoyable. Great for parents with little ones who get restless behind.

These services complement the already comprehensive range of entertainment and assistance functions available from MBUX at all times. The further strengths of MBUX, in addition to the user-friendly voice assistant with natural speech recognition, which is activated with the keyword ‘Hey Mercedes’, include intuitive touchscreen control of the media display.

There is also a navigation display that uses augmented reality technology during active navigation: a video image of the vehicle’s surroundings is enhanced with useful navigation information.

The intelligent assistant that also learns
MBUX was introduced to the world in 2018 with the new Mercedes A-Class being the first model to have it. It was then progressively offered in other models as new generations arrived. The aim is to enhance the user-experience and make the system more helpful with an intelligent assistant that can respond to voice commands – and act on them.

A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn, thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX can be individualised and adapts to suit the user. It thus creates an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. At the same time, updates ‘over the air’ are possible and it also heralds a new era at Mercedes me Connectivity.

Mercedes-Benz continues to be leading premium luxury brand in Malaysia

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